Snooker: Pros' `insurance' betting banned

Professionals were banned last night by the game's governing body from betting against themselves as an insurance wager. After a policy review by the Board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, a rule has been added to the code of discipline which stops players from betting on matches "they are personally involved in".

The move follows allegations last season that some players were placing bets on an opponent to make up the prize money shortfall between winning and losing.

"While some members might believe it makes financial sense to place a bet on an opponent as insurance against losing it, the Board does not regard this practice to be ethical," the WPBSA chairman Rex Williams said."Snooker is one of the few sports where players still call a foul on themselves and we pride ourselves on having a reputation for sportsmanship."